5 Reasons Why I’m Excited About The Nintendo Switch – Forbes

Credit: Erik Kain/Nintendo

The Nintendo Switch looks awesome.

I know I’ve raised my concerns with the video game console in the past, but on the whole I’m more upbeat than I am worried. I have no way of knowing whether the Switch will be a commercial success, but I have a feeling it’s going to be a blast and that it’s going to be very good for the video game industry.

Here’s why I’m excited about the Nintendo Switch. You can watch the video version or skip below and read the list.

1. I can play all my favorite Nintendo games at home or on the go.

It’s the perfect console for my line of work, for one thing. If I’m reviewing the new Zelda, I can play it at home, at the office, or on a trip. That’s incredibly convenient for what I do, but it’s sure to appeal to lots of other people, too. Whether it’s enough of a draw to make the Switch a huge hit remains to be seen, but I’m looking forward to it.

2. Game cartridges!

Cartridges make way more sense for a portable console than disc-based media. They’re fast, durable, and you don’t have to install the games onto the system itself—which is a good thing since it’s only got 32 gigs of storage space. Besides, these aren’t like old-school NES cartridges. You won’t have to blow on them to make them work.

3. The Joy-Con controllers.

Everything I’ve seen and read about the new Joy-Con controllers makes me excited to actually play with them. As my colleague Ollie Barder argues—he’s tried the Switch out already—they might be the Switch’s true secret weapon.

4. It’s something different from the PS4 and Xbox One.

As much as I like to get on Nintendo’s case for putting out console after console that relies on a central gimmick, I’m still glad the Switch isn’t just another PS4 or Xbox One. It’s unique and, if all goes well, that means we’ll get lots of fun, quirky games that aren’t just rehashes of the games we play on Sony or Microsoft systems.

5. The games!

Speaking of games, this is the number one reason I’m excited for the Switch. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is enough to set my hype to 11, but there’s also Splatoon 2, Super Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Odyssey and who knows what else in the pipeline. I’m hoping for a new Metroid.